Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin Beta 2 Released | What’s New

Almost there! Day by day we are getting closer to the final stable release of Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin the long term support release. Today the second beta release is available to download for the testing purposes. So, let’s check the recent changes to Ubuntu Precise Pangolin highlights.

Ubuntu 12.04 Beta 2 includes many new packages updates, and several enhancements to Unity and Unity 2D user interfaces. Probably you already have seen some of the new features recently added to precise pangolin from its daily updates posts at LinuxNov. However we will go through the recent changes and upgrade instructions from earlier releases of Ubuntu.

Unity Launcher quicklist

Quicklist is supported by a wide range of applications which eases the usage for these applications and provide a quick access for certain functions. Currently it’s available by default with many applications such as Nautilus, Totem, screenshot tool, transmission, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Dash home, shutter, update manager, libreoffice suite, …etc. With some of these applications the quick list is deactivated until you run the application.

Unity Launcher Progress dialog

In the earlier development release Precise Beta 1 we have seen the copy progress dialog on unity launcher for nautilus file manager. Now, it’s available for Ubuntu software center and the update manager. So, you will be able to see the download and installation progress dialog for both of them.

The HUD landed on Unity 2D

“HUD” is an interactive way to search through applications menus for certain functions. It can be activated by click “Alt” key, also you can adjust the shortcut from CCSM –> Ubuntu Unity plugin.

The HUD is now available for Unity 2D user interface as we have seen earlier in this post. Also the HUD has a new animation sliding effect, it happens when you start searching for something.

As you have seen on this screenshot, I have applied the Xach effect on LinuxNov logo using the HUD on Gimp image editor.

Ambiance and Radiance GTK themes

Any window became unfocused the Orange color for the buttons, progress dialog bar and currently selected item turns to Gray color for radiance and ambiance themes, as shown with the update manager.

Launcher Placements for Multi-Monitors

Displays manager provides a new options to select which display you want keep the Unity Launcher on, or if you want to keep it available on all displays.

Precise repository now includes the latest stable release of Gnome applications and gnome shell user interface version 3.4.0.

Check the full list of changes for Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin Beta 2 in the release notes.

Upgrade to Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin LTS Beta 2

[note]This release still under development and it’s available for testing purposes only. So, you might want to use the live session using USB stick or installing it on virtual machine “VMM”. Upgrade or install it at your own risk.[/note]

Click “Alt+F2” then type “update-manager -d” (without the quotes). The update manager will open and tell you there is a new release “Ubuntu 12.04” available to install. Click upgrade and follow the on-screen instructions.

For user who prefer to use the terminal you can upgrade to using this command. Run Terminal, then type.

sudo do-release-upgrade -d

Download Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin Beta 2

Download page provides a variety of download options for different CPU architectures, and download options using torrent links or direct links.

According to the release schedule the final release of Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin will be available in April 26th, 2012. Also check Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin countdown banner for your website or your blog.